Your perspective might come from an optimistic desire to contribute to a greater good. However, if you fix your eyes only on progress and refuse to see new challenges that arise, you will be blind to opportunities for improvement.
Perhaps you’re fueled by a realist view of the countless problems that permeate our world. Equally blind is this leader who fixes their eyes only on the problems that surround their community, blind to any progress being made.
I propose another way of viewing the world – as a “possibilist” (a term originated by Hans Rosling). This type of individual holds loosely the reality that both bad and better exist. It takes this kind of balanced leader – someone who recognizes both the good and the bad – to move a community forward and bring sustainable change to their world.
We encourage our team at OneHope to be “possibilist” leaders by training them how to utilize research to design effective ministry solutions. Knowing how to analyze research helps leaders identify both areas of progress and opportunities for improvement – providing a holistic view of our work around the world.
